Ciaran Clark’s early header ensured the Republic of Ireland’s preparations for the Euro 2016 finals began with a victory as Switzerland fell by the wayside in Dublin.

Clark, who is struggling to get a game for Premier League basement boys Aston Villa, struck with a second-minute header to double his international tally and send a Good Friday crowd of 35,450 home from the Aviva Stadium with smiles on their faces.

On a night when manager Martin O’Neill – who this week landed himself in hot water over his comments about WAGs – handed senior debuts to Alan Judge, Eunan O’Kane and Jonny Hayes, it was not always pretty, but ultimately proved effective as his side extended their run to one defeat in seven games this season.

O’Neill will experiment once again on Tuesday night when Slovakia head for the Aviva, but he will do so having learned a little more about some of the men on the periphery of the group of players he will take to France this summer.